DE102009055688A1 - Method for manufacturing of hygiene products for receiving human excretions body, involves providing individual components of biological degradable materials, where biodegradable materials are assembled with mounting process - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves providing individual components of biological degradable materials, where the biodegradable materials are assembled with mounting process. The edges of an external film (2) and cover layer (4) are assembled by a biodegradable adhesive. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a hygiene product has biodegradable plastic such as polylactide; and (2) a method for the biological and economic disposal of biodegradable hygiene products.

Description

The present invention relates to a hygiene product of biologically completely degradable materials and their use, in particular with their use after the intended use of the hygiene article.

Such hygiene articles and methods for further use of the hygiene articles are known from DE 10 2007 051 403 A1 known in the art. This document discloses a method for supplying facilities such as homes, hospitals or nursing homes in which incontinence products are incurred, as well as baby diapers. In this invention, sanitary articles are collected after use and transported to a fermentation plant, the biogas produced during the fermentation being used to supply various facilities with energy. A disadvantage of this method, it is felt that the hygienic products to be fermented are not completely biodegradable, because they contain both elements for attachment and as well as the effectiveness of the hygiene articles, which consist of a plastic that is not biodegradable.

Disadvantageously, it is further felt that this invention describes a system diaper and assumes that after use the diaper is separated by hand into its main components inner and outer diaper.

The inner diaper will continue to be disposed of deponely. The outer diaper, on the other hand, is washed. The accumulating wash water should be available for clarification or for the production of biogas. The invention leaves open with which the outer diaper is cleaned. It is in reality the case that disinfectant detergents are used. The biological safety of the detergents remains largely open. Wastewater from such cleaning systems are often mixed for cost reasons, but also from different processes. This process water used is usually used multiple times. Wastewater from such process plants are highly chemically contaminated and therefore unsuitable for the production of biogas.

The new Biowindel is used as a conventional disposable product and fed to a particular disposal.

All disposable diapers currently on the market are either not biodegradable at all or only partly conditioned. The outer foil (PE or PP) is just the minor problem. Here already some manufacturers rely on bioplastics. Rather, it is the use of a chemical SAP superabsorbent, a copolymer of acrylic acid (propionic acid, C ₃ H ₄ O ₂ ) and sodium acrylate (sodium salt or acrylic acid, NaC ₃ H ₃ O ₂ ). This is not biodegradable and thus remains for a long time as a useless residue that pollutes the environment.

The degradation of organic substances by microorganisms or their enzymes of the waste, the natural material cycle flows, is generally called biodegradation. Industrially produced chemicals are biodegradable if they are removed from the environment through biological processes and fed into the natural material cycle.

All efforts a biodegradable absorber z. B. from hemp (utility model DE 297 00 506 U1 ) or from potato starch to market maturity, have so far failed because of their low absorption capacity and retention capacity. Sure, these aspirators are biodegradable, but due to their low absorbency, they can not meet the needs of the market.

Also in the patent DE 41 22 359 C2 described absorbent pad, which also contains a degradable absorber (CMC), is not timely for today's diaper production. The effort in the production process to prefabricate the described absorbent pad and to produce a disposable diaper with the existing machines is too high. The existing machinery and production equipment would have to be modified with great effort. CMC (Carboxylmethyl cellulose) has the disadvantage that it has a very high yellow blocking, which prevents rapid absorption of water.

Furthermore, from the WO 2005/084724 a novel superabsorbent (Green SAP) has become known. This superabsorbent can be used without effort on existing machines or diaper production plants. It has identical properties in structure and physical properties as conventionally used chemical absorbers. By contrast, the absorbency of the Green SAP is in no way inferior to the chemical SAP of acrylic acid. In addition, this green superabsorber is completely biodegradable. With the help of this bioabsorbent and other biofuels available on the market, such as biofilm from PLA, pulp and degradable rubber, it will in future be possible to produce a 100% biowind without any additional effort on existing machines or diaper production plants for mass production. Superabsorbents (superabsorbent polymers, SAP) are granulates which are capable of absorbing many times their own weight, up to a thousand times those of liquids such as water. Airlaid literally means " Luftlegen "and is used by the nonwoven industry as a technical term.

Airlaid is a special absorbent core that is used in infant and baby diapers, sanitary napkins, bed pads, and increasingly also in incontinence products and templates.

An airlaid is a special nonwoven made of cellulose, in which a micro-superabsorber is integrated.

In the present invention, a novel "green SAP" (superabsorber) is used.

This achieves 100% biodegradability. All other advantages of an airlaid remain.

In a special production process in which the uniformly distributed starting materials are combined into a network by heating and pressure, the airlaid is produced. The cellulose incorporated in the network and the interspersed superabsorbent form a very thin and powerful absorbent core.

Absorbent liquid is absorbed by the cellulose, distributed and bound by the superabsorber and stored. The superabsorbent takes several times its own weight of liquid. Even under pressure, this bound liquid will not release again. The green superabsorber used absorbs about 50 times and more of its own weight and is therefore in no way inferior to the previously used chemical SAP in its absorption and storage properties.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to avoid the disadvantages of the prior art and to provide sanitary articles that are completely biodegradable, have good absorbency and are easy to produce at a commercially justifiable cost, so that the sanitary articles fed to a subsequent process for energy can be.

This object is achieved with the characterizing features of the main claims. Other features essential to the invention can be found in the dependent claims.

The hygiene product according to the invention for receiving excretions of the human body consists essentially of at least one outer film, at least one intermediate layer, at least one cover layer and at least one holding element, which is characterized in that all components of the hygiene product are made of biodegradable materials. The method for producing such hygiene products for receiving excretions of the human body is characterized by the fact that for the individual components of which the hygiene article is made, only biodegradable materials are used and the biodegradable materials are combined with attachment method that does not require chemical Leave residues that are not biodegradable. This novel Biowindel is used as a conventional disposable product and fed to a predetermined disposal.

It is advantageous that the edges of the at least one outer film and the at least one cover layer are joined together by knurling and / or ultrasound, and / or biodegradable adhesive.

Another advantage is that the at least one intermediate layer has different thicknesses in a specific embodiment and production form.

A further advantage is that the at least one intermediate layer has at least one region which has at least one material from Green SAP.

It is also advantageous that at least one film consists of a biodegradable plastic, such as PLA.

It is furthermore advantageous that the intermediate layer (air-line) has at least one region which contains green SAP and, during the production of the hygiene article, is taken from a roll material on which the intermediate layer has already been produced.

A further advantage is the fact that the hygiene article already used according to the regulations is also used for dewatering liquid sewage sludge.

It is also advantageous that the hygiene articles can be comminuted and / or comminuted to a composting plant.

Furthermore, it is advantageous that the digested mass of shredded hygiene articles or sewage sludge is dried and used as fertilizer.

Overall, it is advantageous and characteristic of the present invention that the treatment of the at least one hygiene article is mechanically comminuted and made germ-free and then fed to a biogas plant for the production of biogas.

In the following, the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. It shows

1 a schematic plan view of the inside of a hygiene article according to the invention ( 1 ) (Diaper), in which all elements ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) consist of biodegradable material;

2 a schematic cross-sectional view along the section line AA 'in 1 with an intermediate layer ( 3 ) manufactured by a conventional manufacturing method;

3 a schematic cross-sectional view along the section line AA 'in 1 with an intermediate layer ( 3 ' ), which is designed as an airliner and at least one area ( 9 ' ) that at least partially includes Green SAP;

4 a schematic block diagram of the individual process steps ( 1. - 7th ) for the production of biogas;

5 1 is a schematic block diagram of the cycle of a biodegradable hygiene article ( 1 ) for the production of energy.

1 shows a schematic plan view of a hygiene article 1 (Baby diaper) whose individual components are completely biodegradable. In this illustration is on the back of the outer film 2 arranged, which is made of a so-called PLA film or a comparable biodegradable film of casein or alginate. PLA is the short name for polylactic acid and means "polylactic acid". Such films are composed of chemically bonded lactic acid molecules and belong to the polymers. Polylectic plastics are biocompatible and are mass-produced. As starting materials for bioplastics serve currently especially starch and cellulose as biopolymers of sugars, possible starting plants are starchy plants such. As corn or sugar beets and woods from which cellulose can be obtained. Other potential raw materials, such as chitin and chitosan, lignin, casein, gelatin, cereal proteins and vegetable oil are candidates for the production of bioplastics. Depending on their composition, production process and addition of additives, moldability, hardness, elasticity, breaking strength, temperature, heat resistance and chemical resistance change. The basis for the further development and the breakthrough of starch plastics are the pamphlets EP 0596437 and EP 0799335 ,

On the inside facing side of the foil 11 is a liner 3 arranged in a conventional manner, namely with a flocked biodegradable material, which is practically scattered and in one area 9 at least partially contains Green SAP. In older diaper production processes, Green SAP is applied by littering in the flake mill production step, which can lead to inaccuracies in practice. The liner 3 is covered by a cover layer 4 similar to the outer foil 2 is formed so that the middle part is narrower than the upper and middle part of the film. The outer edges of the outer foil 2 and the top layer 4 are of an elastic element 6 pulled through with a slight bias, so that ruffled edges form. The top layer 4 is sufficiently permeable to water, so that the moisture of human excretions adhere well to the liner 3 can get. The top layer 4 A nonwoven fabric is also made of a PLA or similar non-woven material. The outer layer 2 and the top layer 4 be firmly connected with each other by appropriate means. These agents are generally ultrasonic welds, knurled joints or clip joints with spray adhesives that are biodegradable and consist, for example, of casein or similar material. Thus, the liner 3 both in the form of a conventional manufacturing method and in the form of an airliner 3 ' included with an integrated superabsorber made of Green SAP. The outer foil 2 is essentially waterproof to the outside, so no moisture from the liner 3 can penetrate to the outside. Furthermore, the outer film 2 permeable to air from outside to inside through micropores so that the skin can breathe (breathable). A heat accumulation is thus prevented. The skin can breathe naturally, avoiding skin irritation.

The elastic elements 6 in the margins 2 ' and 4 ' the outer foil 2 and the cover fleece 4 Like all other components, they also consist of a rubber band made of PLA or similar plastic that is completely biodegradable. Side of the liner 3 are more rubber bands 6 arranged, which have a certain bias and thereby the intermediate layer 3 into a curved shape. The liner 3 has approximately in the middle of an increase or a compression of the absorbent material SAP 9 on. This increase serves to better absorb the moisture development which occurs at this point in order to avoid wetting of the outer film. At the top and bottom of the two welded together layers 3 and 4 are the border areas 7 . 7 ' slightly gathered, resulting in a certain elasticity of the two joined layers. The rubber threads 6 also form a lateral leakage protection of liquids and other excretions of the human body. The rubber threads are in production with Organic glue fixed or drawn in the diaper. Also as a streaked or ruffled diaper cover 7 . 7 ' serves as a wet barrier and can be reinforced by attached rubber bands. These rubber bands are also biodegradable. On the outside of the outer film 3 is at the upper end on both sides a closure element 5 . 5 ' arranged, which may be a Velcro closure in one embodiment, the needles, which are shown here dotted, on the opposite side in a pillow 10 . 10 ' hook and thus form a releasable closure. The Velcro is also made of a PLA plastic, or comparable bioplastic and thus completely biodegradable.

The 2 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the line AA 'in 1 , On the outer foil 2 , which is permeable to air and largely impermeable to water, is on the inside of the film 2 the liner 3 arranged, which can accept or assume along their center line different strengths (d) and / or densities of the Green SAP. About the liner 3 is a largely water-permeable cover layer 4 arranged laterally at the edges 12 with suitable connection methods with the outer foil 2 is joined together. The joining of the two slides 2 and 4 can be brought about either by suitable bonding with adhesives that are completely biodegradable, or by ultrasonic welding or by pressing the two layers together 2 and 3 , creating a tie layer 13 arises, which holds the two slides together. In this or a similar embodiment, the hygiene article according to the invention 1 only biodegradable and / or compostable elements that can be varied in their individual embodiments according to the needs of the hygiene article.

As a result of the complete degradability of the individual hygiene articles, these can be supplied in their entirety to a further biological process.

The 3 shows a schematic cross-sectional view along the section line AA 'in 1 with an intermediate layer ( 3 ' ), which is designed as an airliner and at least one area ( 9 ' ), which at least partially includes Green SAP. On the inside facing side of the foil 11 is a liner 3 ' arranged, which is designed as an airliner and in one area 9 ' at least partially contains a superabsorbent from Green SAP. As already mentioned, in conventional diaper production processes, the green SAP is applied in the production step flake mill by sprinkling. The liner 3 ' On the other hand, it consists of a so-called. Airlet, in the already an area 9 ' integrated at least partially or fully contains a superabsorbent from Green SAP. The Airlet is prefabricated on a roll material, which simplifies the production enormously compared to the method of flaking the layer 3 , which can lead to inaccuracies in practice. The liner 3 ' is covered by a cover layer 4 that stick to the liner 3 ' snugly. As a result of joining the layers 2 and 4 By means of suitable connection methods, a connection area is created 13 between the outer foil 2 and the top layer 4 , In this embodiment of the present invention, the interlayer is many times thinner than a conventional interlayer, further resulting in great weight and dimensional advantages.

The 4 shows a schematic block diagram of individual process steps that lead to a biodegradation process. The first step ( 1. ) indicates the production of a biodegradable hygienic article 1 according to the specifications described above, namely the production of a completely biodegradable hygienic article 1 which contains no elements that are not biodegradable and may leave harmful chemical residues. At the second step ( Second ) are the appropriate hygiene products 1 collected with a predetermined method to a third step ( Third ) can be supplied, in which the collected hygiene articles are mechanically comminuted and then in a fourth process step ( 4th ) germ-free. Pasteurization of minced hygiene products ( 1 ) can be done in different ways. On the one hand by multiple heating in thermal disintegration stages or by irradiation with gamma rays or by hot steam injection through the crushed mass particles or by UHT heating of the mass particles. These methods are not described in detail here. Pasteurization ensures that no unwanted bacteria can disrupt the formation of biogas and that all pathogens are safely killed. Following this, one must decide on the further fate of the shredded and pasteurized mass of already used diapers and whether they have a composting ( 3. ' ) or is used for other purposes. The composting is also a controlled decomposition of decomposed organic material by destroyers (recycling of dead matter) with the supply of oxygen (airob running process). Microorganisms (bacteria, fungi or the like) as well as microorganisms such as worms, woodlice, etc., which are collectively referred to as saprophages, reduce the structure-forming constituents (wood, cellulose) of the plants as well as the ingredients such as sugar. Due to their life function, degradation results in metabolic products that are further utilized by other saprophages. It will the biomass is returned to its individual components and is then available to higher plants as a nutrient.

The biogas production in biogas plants is well known in the art and need not be further described here. After the mass of crushed toiletries 1 Furthermore, it has to be decided whether the mass of a sewage treatment plant 4 ' in which it contributes to the drainage of liquid sewage sludge or a biogas plant 5 and 6 , In general, drainage of liquid sewage sludge uses expensive chemical superabsorbent, which causes high costs. To reduce these costs, the shredded still absorbent hygiene products can make a good contribution to the drainage of the sewage sludge or completely substitute the drainage by chemical superabsorbents, as the green SAP of the already used sanitary article 1 has not been completely used up and thus can absorb a large part of water or moisture in addition. After completion of this dehydration process, the biomass thus produced can either be further processed in the sewage treatment plant or it becomes a biogas plant 5 . 6 fed, in which a multi-stage Ausfaulprozess the biomass thus obtained is carried out. Alternatively, after the fourth process step ( 4th ) the intrinsically dry comminuted mass of the hygiene articles of a hydrolysis in the fifth process step ( 5th ), in which a predetermined pH value must be maintained. After the hydrolysis stage ( 5th ) the digestible biomass of the actual biogas plant ( 6th ), in which the biogas is obtained. After the biomass has completely rotted out, it is a drying step ( 7th ), where the digested biomass is further processed into fertilizer.

The 5 shows a schematic block diagram of the cycle of a bio-hygiene article according to the invention 1 , In the first stage (A) of the cycle, the sanitary articles are made according to the above-described methods for the preparation of hygiene articles 1 produced. The hygiene article is distributed to hospitals, nursing homes, diaconia and private households 1 in a second stage (B) to the end user. After use of the hygiene article by the end user, the hygiene articles are collected by a suitable collection procedure (C) and used in accordance with 3 described further method (steps 1. - 7th ), where ultimately energy is obtained or a composting 3 ' is supplied. Following biogas production, the digested biomass exits the biogas plant (D) and is sold as a natural fertilizer to a consumer (farmer) or private gardener who brings this natural fertilizer to the fields and gardens. As a result, the natural cycle is inevitably closed, whereby enormous economic benefits are achieved. On the one hand, valuable energy is generated as electricity and / or as heat, ultimately serving the consumer. Furthermore, the landfills are much smaller, so that alone by the accumulation of CO ₂ can be significantly reduced.

Superabsorbents (superabsorbent polymers, SAP) are granulates which are capable of absorbing many times their own weight, up to a thousand times those of liquids such as water.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007051403 A1 [0002]
• DE 29700506 U1 [0008]
• DE 4122359 C2 [0009]
• WO 2005/084724 [0010]
• EP 0596437 [0035]
• EP 0799335 [0035]

Claims (12)

Process for the production of hygiene products ( 1 ) for receiving excretions of the human body, characterized in that - exclusively biodegradable materials are used for the individual components; and - the biodegradable materials ( 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 ) are combined with fixing methods that leave no chemical residue. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the edges ( 8th ) of the at least one outer film ( 2 ) and the at least one cover layer ( 4 ) by knurling and / or ultrasound, and / or biodegradable adhesive. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one intermediate layer ( 3 ) may have different thicknesses (d). Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one intermediate layer at least one area ( 9 ) containing at least one Green SAP material. Hygiene product according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the intermediate layer ( 3 ), in which Green SAP is integrated, is taken from a roll material on which the intermediate layer ( 3 ) is already prefabricated. Hygiene product ( 1 ) for receiving excretions of the human body, consisting essentially of at least one outer foil ( 2 ), at least one intermediate layer ( 3 ), at least one cover layer ( 4 ) and at least one retaining element ( 5 ), characterized in that all components of the hygiene product ( 1 ) are made of biodegradable materials. Hygiene product according to claim 6, characterized in that at least one film ( 2 . 4 ) made of a biodegradable plastic, z. B. PLA exists. Hygiene product according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one intermediate layer at least one area ( 9 . 9 ' ) comprising at least one Green SAP material. Method for biological and economical disposal from 100% biodegradable hygiene products, characterized by the following process steps: - preparation of the at least one hygiene article ( 1 ), wherein at least the hygiene article is mechanically comminuted; and - make the mechanically comminuted hygiene article germ-free ( 1 ); and - supplying the comminuted and germ-free hygiene articles ( 1 ) in a biogas plant ( 6 ) for the production of biogas. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hygiene article ( 1 ) is used for dewatering of liquid sewage sludge. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the collected hygiene articles ( 1 ) are comminuted and / or comminuted fed to a composting. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the digested sewage sludge is dried and used as fertilizer.

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